Hans Willem Bentinck was William III’s political confidant and associate and held a number of high-ranking positions in both the Republic and, after 1689, in England where he was given the title first Earl of Portland. This digital edition of their correspondence (five volumes of letters, divided into two separate categories) not only contains the letters Bentinck and William III wrote to each other, but also features letters that each of them wrote separately to other people.

vrijdag 13 december 2013

Some pics I took in the City Museum of the fortress town of Coevorden. Nice small museum, but with very modern displays, like a movie about the history of Coevorden that is projected on a diorama of the fortress. Of course several displays on 1672 as well, with archeological finds, armour, the usual cannonballs, and the remains of a Spanish soldier. I hope the poor man can have a decent burial soon.

The Dutch Marine Corps was founded on December 10 1665, exactly 348 years ago. During the Second Anglo-Dutch War lieutenant-admiral Michiel de Ruyter of the Dutch navy ordered the forming of a regiment of 'Ship Soldiers'. From that moment on, all Dutch warships were to have a contingent of marines on board, led by a lieutenant.

May we welcome you to this weblog about the French-Dutch and English-Dutch wars of the 17th and 18th century, initially set up around the year 1672, known in Dutch history as 'disaster year'. The blog deals with local, national and international history, military history, art, culture and wargaming.

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